Horizon NJ Health premiered their brand new Care-A-Van at a free health care event in Guttenberg last month. The van offers screenings and other services for the community.

The goal of the event was to educate residents on health and nutrition.

Horizon NJ Health is a health care company that serves both insured individuals with Medicaid and those under NJ FamilyCare programs for low income families.

“Our health representatives – we call them Team NJ – participate in more than 300 community health events in all 21 New Jersey counties throughout the year,” said Horizon NJ Health Public Relations Specialist John Passuth. “Working with community, faith-based organizations and schools, we use various resources to target each community’s health care and health education needs.”

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“Our main focus is to create health awareness.” – Jose Roche

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Horizon’s nurse Zaida Soto checked blood pressure and blood sugar at no cost. For those who had health insurance questions, a Horizon Medicare representative was also present. The Care-A-Van was parked in front of a local pharmacy, Seifert’s Pharmacy, Horizon’s partner for the event.

Historical pharmacy

Seifert’s Pharmacy’s history, which is over 100 years old, sparked the interest of Horizon’s Community Health Nurse Zaida Soto. She contacted the Picca family who own Seifert’s Pharmacy and set up the event.

“It’s good because it encourages people to actually see their doctor, and not be afraid to see their doctor,” said Pharmacist William Picca.

“For the pharmacists it’s a joint collaboration,” said Soto. “They’re not looking at us as an insurance company, they’re looking at us as a joint community effort.”

Pharmacist Robert Picca said the partnership between Seifert’s Pharmacy and Horizon NJ Health made him feel like he was contributing.

Some of the literature Horizon distributed, in English and Spanish, provided information on how to determine if you have diabetes, how to choose low sodium foods for those with high blood pressure, and offered guidance for those who are uninsured and looking for healthcare.

Low income families at the event were able to verify if they were eligible for NJ Family Care.

“There’s so many people out there with high blood pressure and high blood sugar that don’t know it,” said William. “There’s nothing to fear, there’s no charge, and it helps us by helping the community, it saves lives too.”

“I think it’s a pleasure that I work for a company that allows us to go into the community and reach the people,” said Soto. “We’re here about wellness and preventative care and to answer any questions.”

Picca wants people to know that there are a lot of free programs available for residents who are in need of them much like Horizon’s NJ Health Care-A-Van event.

For additional information visit www.horizonnjhealth.com or call 1 (800) 682-9094 and ask to speak with any of the Horizon representatives mentioned above.